Dr. Christopher M. Clayton serves as the Director of Education Services for the Educator Pipeline and Profession for the Pennsylvania State Education Association.  In this role with PSEA, he is responsible for providing support to over 178,000 educator members on issues involving best practices and research in teaching and learning, directs the Student PSEA Aspiring Educator (college student) Program, serves as the State Coordinator for Educators Rising (high school student) Pennsylvania Program and coordinates the PSEA Early New & Career Educator Platform.
 
He earned a Ph.D. in Language and Literacy Education and an Ed. S. Degree in Education Leadership, Administration, and Policy at The University of Georgia along with a Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Regis University in Denver, CO. He is a National Board-Certified Teacher (2008, renewed in 2018) who was named the Washington Puyallup Valley Teacher of the Year in 2011 prior to starting with PSEA where he served as a high school English and International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge teacher and coach for over ten years in Southern California and Washington state before becoming a district administrator and Director of Curriculum & Instruction in a large metro-Atlanta school district with 138 schools and over 100,000 students. He moved to Hershey to begin his role with PSEA in 2014 and happily resides there with his wife, two daughters, son, and granddaughter.

Ashlie Crosson, the 2025 National Teacher of the Year, serves as an English teacher at Pennsylvania’s Mifflin County High School, where she aims to prepare her students to navigate the complexities of our global society. Crosson believes in building a strong curriculum that develops communication skills, empowers students to solve problems and expands their worldview. Crosson teaches Advanced Placement language and composition, English 10 and Survival Stories, an elective that approaches global humanitarian crises from a youth perspective. She also advises the journalism program, which publishes the school newspaper and district magazine.  
Crosson received her master’s degree in educational leadership at Penn State University and a gifted endorsement from Millersville University. In 2018, she became a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms fellow. She says the fellowship transformed her pedagogy, helping her to reframe curricula around competencies that empower students’ voices.  
As a first-generation college student, Crosson found that teachers and counselors were essential to her success. She says their support inspired her to become an educator, so she could give to another generation what had been given to her. Crosson has expanded opportunities for her colleagues and students, such as launching MC Goes Global, an international travel program to enhance student learning opportunities. In class, her students can be found researching the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and building websites as often as they are reading novels and writing papers.  
Crosson strives to create learning experiences that resonate with her students, foster empathy and build critical thinking skills. By advising the journalism program, Crosson has positively influenced her students’ academic and career opportunities. Many in the program have found success beyond high school and are now editors for college media, interns at television stations and writers for regional newspapers.   
As the 2025 National Teacher of the Year, Crosson will spend a year representing educators and serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession.

Elizabeth Raff is a passionate and enthusiastic instructional leader who inspires both students and educators. She designs and leads a district-wide instructional coaching program focused on elevating teaching practices and improving student learning. Elizabeth collaborates with educators across grade levels, supports teacher recruitment and retention efforts, and delivers engaging professional learning rooted in research-based strategies.
Known for creating classrooms and professional environments with high expectations and a culture of curiosity, Elizabeth encourages learners to ask challenging questions and think creatively. She earned recognition as the 2022 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year and represented her state at the national level. Beyond the classroom, Elizabeth is an experienced keynote speaker who shares her insights on educational innovation and leadership across the country.
Currently a doctoral candidate at Penn State University, Elizabeth balances her academic pursuits with her commitment to empowering educators and advancing student success. She lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband and their two children.

With more than 30 years of experience in Special Education, Pamela Watts has worked at all levels as a Special Education Teacher, Special Education Consultant, and a Director of Special Education. A graduate of Millersville University and Penn State University, she has dedicated her career to supporting students, families, and educators with compassion and expertise. Currently serving as Director of Education Services at PSEA, Pamela leads with optimism and chooses to focus on the positives, even in challenging circumstances. Known for building strong rapport with people, she values collaboration, trust, and relationships as the foundation for student success. She remains committed to ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

Hannah Rake is a junior Early Childhood and Elementary Education major at PennWest Clarion, where she serves as President of the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA) chapter. She is also the State President-Elect of Student PSEA and serves on the National Education Association’s Advisory Committee of Aspiring Educators. Passionate about empowering future teachers, Hannah has led community-wide projects that promote literacy and hands-on STEM learning with children and recently presented at the NEA National Leadership Summit on sustainable leadership and mental health. She is dedicated to building leadership pathways for aspiring educators and creating engaging, equitable classroom experiences that inspire curiosity and confidence in every learner. Outside the classroom, Hannah's committed to growing the next generation of education leaders and building a strong, supportive community of aspiring educators across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Ashton DeMorat is a student at PennState University. He is the 2025-2026 Student PSEA President.

Gavin Mitsdarfer is a senior education student at Pennsylvania Western University Edinboro with a dual concentration in Secondary English Language Arts and Special Education PreK-12 with a minor in Literature and Culture. Gavin currently serves as the PSEA State Political Action Committee for Education Director and serves as the NEA Aspiring Educators Caucus Lead Director and on the NEA Aspiring Educators Advisory Committee. Gavin represents PennWest in PASSHE on the UPrepared Summit looking to address the teacher shortage and was recognized as a PASSHE Keeper of the Flame for their work in addressing teacher diversity through the Student Teacher Support Program. Gavin wrote their undergraduate thesis on the inclusion of multicultural literature and presented the research at the PASSHE Frederick Douglas Institute Research and Creative Arts Conference.